Mets RHP Carlos Carrasco on track for mid-May debut

Starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco joined the New York Mets along with four-time All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor via a January trade with the Cleveland Indians but hasn't yet made his debut due to multiple injury setbacks. 

According to Anthony DiComo of the official MLB website, though, Carrasco is inching his way back toward the big leagues. 

DiComo reported Friday morning that the 34-year-old right-hander stretched his workload to five innings during a Thursday rehabilitation appearance in Port St. Lucie. Barring an unforeseen issue, Carrasco will make a minor league rehab start on or around May 4 and then head to the Mets' active roster during the second week of May.

Carrasco reported soreness in his elbow during the first half of March and was temporarily shut down from throwing mostly as a precaution. However, he was diagnosed with a torn right hamstring later that month, and it was originally believed he'd miss six to eight weeks of regular-season action recovering from that injury. 

Across 68 innings pitched and 12 starts with Cleveland during the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, Carrasco went 3-4 with a 2.91 ERA and 82 strikeouts.